Boeing rolls out the first 737 MAX

Today, thousands of Boeing employees celebrated the roll out of the first 737 MAX.

Today, the freshly painted 737 MAX 8, named the Spirit of Renton, was revealed to employees in a special teal version of the Boeing livery.

After celebrations are complete, the aircraft will undergo pre-flight preparation before departing for Renton Field to continue flight test readiness. The aircraft is on track for first flight in early 2016.

With the second and third 737 MAX 8 flight test airplanes currently in final assembly and the fourth (and final) in sub-assembly, the 737 MAX remains on target for first delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines in the third quarter of 2017.

Boeing claims the new single-aisle airplane will deliver 20 percent lower fuel use than the earliest-built Next-Generation 737s.